Latest Tyne and Wear Metro performance details revealed

Posted on Wednesday 19 August 2020 by Gareth Prior

Whilst public transport is a very different beast at the moment with fewer passengers travelling as a result of the pandemic, one of the crucial considerations for some will still remain “how is it running?”. Although Manchester Metrolink have not released any performance stats since the start of February, it is a different situation on the Tyne and Wear Metro.

Continue reading →

Posted in Tyne and Wear Metro | Comments Off on Latest Tyne and Wear Metro performance details revealed

Work continues on returning Blackpool trams to the rails

Posted on Wednesday 19 August 2020 by Gareth Prior

While engineering staff are now back at Rigby Road in Blackpool preparing the trams for a return to the tracks at the August Bank Holiday weekend as well as continuing the work on the overhauls of the illuminated feature cars there is also progress being made away from Blackpool Transport’s facility. We’ve heard a lot about Railcoach 279 over the past few months but good progress is also being made on the restoration of Coronation 663 which is at Riley & Sons Engineers in Heywood.

Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway, Fylde Transport Trust | 4 Comments

Picture in Time: Midland Metro 06

Posted on Wednesday 19 August 2020 by Gareth Prior

Its another snowy image from Midland Metro for you in this “Picture in Time” instalment.

Continue reading →

Posted in Picture in Time, West Midlands Metro | Comments Off on Picture in Time: Midland Metro 06

In Pictures: Trams to Newhaven Edinburgh Trams extension work continues

Posted on Tuesday 18 August 2020 by Gareth Prior

Hopefully within the next three years we will see trams running along Leith Walk to Newhaven with the Edinburgh Trams extension due to open during 2023. After the enforced suspension of work at the height of the pandemic, we have already seen that work is now back underway with progress being made on initial preparations at several points on Leith Walk. In this pictorial we take a look at some of those worksites – including some of the finds of contractors as they start to go below the road surface. John Hampton is the photographer.

Continue reading →

Posted in Edinburgh Trams | Comments Off on In Pictures: Trams to Newhaven Edinburgh Trams extension work continues

Tram driver “lost awareness” as he passed through stop signal at Deansgate-Castlefield – RAIB

Posted on Tuesday 18 August 2020 by Gareth Prior

The RAIB have issued a warning to the UK tram industry following the publication of their latest report into an incident which saw a tram driver on Manchester Metrolink fail to stop at Deansgate-Castlefield and then proceeded to pass through a stop signal. With another tram given the right of way it was only the actions of the driver on that other tram which prevented a collision from occurring.

Continue reading →

Posted in Manchester Metrolink | 1 Comment

Still Standing! Hyde Road Depot & Works, Manchester

Posted on Tuesday 18 August 2020 by Gareth Prior

Once more we are heading to the northwest of England to take a peek at some first generation tramway structures still in extant and this time we are looking at the remaining sections of Hyde Road Depot and Works in Ardwick.

Continue reading →

Posted in Still Standing! | Comments Off on Still Standing! Hyde Road Depot & Works, Manchester

Crich get over £300,000 in funding

Posted on Monday 17 August 2020 by Gareth Prior

One of the big themes of the pandemic has been the need for various tramways to find a new funding stream whilst they were unable to open and then open under restrictions. Whilst there have been fundraising campaigns to the general public there have also been other funds willing to support heritage organisations and the Crich Tramway Village are celebrating after manging to get £316,000 through three different funding sources – much needed money during these uncertain and unprecedented times.

Continue reading →

Posted in National Tramway Museum | Comments Off on Crich get over £300,000 in funding

Funding in place for new tramstop and Park and Ride on Supertram Tram-Train line

Posted on Monday 17 August 2020 by Gareth Prior

Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council have confirmed that £46 million will be allocated to transport projects in the area – this will include two Park and Ride sites and a new tramstop on the Tram-Train line to Rotherham Parkgate alongside various road improvements.

Continue reading →

Posted in South Yorkshire Supertram | Comments Off on Funding in place for new tramstop and Park and Ride on Supertram Tram-Train line

Picture in Time: Blackpool Dreadnought 59 & Manchester 765

Posted on Monday 17 August 2020 by Gareth Prior

Today we have another image from the 1985 Blackpool Tramway Centenary showing two very special trams – including one which, incredibly, we haven’t previously featured in the Blackpool edition of “Picture in Time”.

Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway, Picture in Time | Comments Off on Picture in Time: Blackpool Dreadnought 59 & Manchester 765

Trams in Video: A ride on the Manx Electric Railway

Posted on Sunday 16 August 2020 by Gareth Prior

In this video we take a ride on board Manx Electric Railway Open Trailer 43 between Derby Castle and Ramsey. With Winter Saloon 20 providing the power and Mail Van 4 also in the consist this is an edited journey showing some of the spectacular sights you can enjoy on the Manx Electric Railway.

Continue reading →

Posted in Manx Electric Railway, Trams in Video | Comments Off on Trams in Video: A ride on the Manx Electric Railway

New track arrives at East Anglia Transport Museum

Posted on Sunday 16 August 2020 by Gareth Prior

As part of the ambitious proposals for the expansion of the East Anglia Transport Museum, following the acquisition of additional land, it is planned that the current tram route will be extended to allow for a longer ride – with what could be the most complex tramway in UK preservation! In preparation for these proposals the museum has recently had a delivery of new track.

Continue reading →

Posted in East Anglia Transport Museum | Comments Off on New track arrives at East Anglia Transport Museum

Lockdown Walks: Manchester Metrolink 3087

Posted on Sunday 16 August 2020 by Gareth Prior

It is the turn of Manchester again for this latest “Lockdown Walk”.

Continue reading →

Posted in Lockdown Walks, Manchester Metrolink | Comments Off on Lockdown Walks: Manchester Metrolink 3087

What’s New on British Trams Online?

Posted on Sunday 16 August 2020 by Gareth Prior

This week we have photos from abroad and at home, as well as adding our latest new list with Tram Loans the topic:

Continue reading →

Posted in Around the World in Trams, Burton & Ashby 14, Site News | Comments Off on What’s New on British Trams Online?

Wootton Tramway finds a new home in Manchester

Posted on Saturday 15 August 2020 by Gareth Prior

The Heaton Park Tramway is to be the new permanent home of the 7 ¼” gauge Wootton Tramway following its donation to the Manchester Transport Museum Society by former owner Howard Burford. A regular on the events circuit the tramway will be moved to Manchester in due course and will then continue to be seen elsewhere to give the Heaton Park Tramway the extra publicity.

Continue reading →

Posted in Heaton Park Tramway | Comments Off on Wootton Tramway finds a new home in Manchester

Around the World in Trams: Seville 301

Posted on Saturday 15 August 2020 by Gareth Prior

The next stop on our world tour is Seville in Spain as the next few editions will see us take a look at the trams running there, which includes running without overhead wires under the ACR technology.

Continue reading →

Posted in Around the World in Trams | Comments Off on Around the World in Trams: Seville 301

New Flexi Day 5 ticket available on Supertram

Posted on Saturday 15 August 2020 by Gareth Prior

As people’s work patterns continue to adapt to the changing world, Stagecoach Supertram have announced a new ticket which will be available exclusively through the Stagecoach Bus app. The Flexi Day 5 is one ticket with five Supertram Only day tickets for the price of 4, giving you a 25% discount.

Continue reading →

Posted in South Yorkshire Supertram | Comments Off on New Flexi Day 5 ticket available on Supertram

Lockdown Walks: Edinburgh Trams 274

Posted on Saturday 15 August 2020 by Gareth Prior

Once more we go on a “Lockdown Walk” in Edinburgh.

Continue reading →

Posted in Edinburgh Trams, Lockdown Walks | Comments Off on Lockdown Walks: Edinburgh Trams 274

All 13 operational trams to run at Seaton to celebrate 50 Years

Posted on Friday 14 August 2020 by Gareth Prior

When the Covid-19 pandemic hit the UK and major restrictions were put in place affecting everyday life it seemed the chances of celebrating various anniversaries in 2020 had been put to bed. But not to be deterred by the continuing, albeit relaxed, restrictions the Seaton Tramway have announced that on Friday 28th August they will be attempting to run all 13 operational trams to help celebrate their 50th anniversary.

Continue reading →

Posted in Seaton Tramway | Comments Off on All 13 operational trams to run at Seaton to celebrate 50 Years

Swift Go launches new fare capping service

Posted on Friday 14 August 2020 by Gareth Prior

Anyone using a Swift Go card on the West Midlands Metro will now be charged the best value fare for any journeys made in a single day in the latest development of the pay as you go smartcard. The new fare-capped payment system is in place now on the Metro with bus services following later this year and local rail services during 2021.

Continue reading →

Posted in West Midlands Metro | Comments Off on Swift Go launches new fare capping service

Lockdown Walks: West Midlands Metro 22

Posted on Friday 14 August 2020 by Gareth Prior

The latest edition of “Lockdown Walks” is heading to the West Midlands Metro again.

Continue reading →

Posted in Lockdown Walks, West Midlands Metro | Comments Off on Lockdown Walks: West Midlands Metro 22